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]]>Zubair, Ali shine in ERCC’s win over Hillhead
By Afzal Shaikh – 22nd June 2019
Mohammed Zubair’s five wicket haul and Ali Qazi’s brilliant ton outplayed Hillhead in Saturday’s WDCU Division 2 League match.
Batting first Hillhead got off to a most desirable start on a surprisingly sunny day at Stirling’s lush green and beautiful New Williamfield ground.
Hillhead lost their first wicket in the form of skipper Alistair Fergus (30) leg before off the orthodox spin bowling from Nayyar Umeed.
Inform youngster Jack Holland and Hasan Azhar made a solid 95-run third wicket partnership before Zubair knocking Hasan’s stumps for 30.
Jack went on to make 88 but didn’t get much support from the other end.
Hillhead once looked at 300+ runs managed 236/8 in 50 overs thanks to Zubair who bowled superbly in his second spell for an outstanding 5-43 (9.5 overs).
“I was struggling to get my line and length right with the new ball, but as I changed ends and the ball was a bit older it did the trick,” admitted Zubair who is now the leading wicket taker in the league.
ERCC openers Ali Qazi and Mohammed Sabir batted stylishly to put in an opening stand of 159 when Mohammed got out leg before off Deepak Yadav following hamstring.
With 78 runs to win and 9 wickets in hand it seemed like walk in the park for ERCC, but the tables had turned and the batting collapsed.
Ali scored the first century of the league but shortly got out caught Jack Holland off John Ferguson 115.
Hillhead had an upper hand with ERCC 13 runs behind and 2 wickets in hand, but all-rounder Nauman Javaid 25 not out and captain Afzal Shaikh 3 not out got ERCC through a 2-wicket win.
In the other match, ERCC 2nd Glasgow South lost to Bees by 161 runs.
On Saturday, 29/6, ERCC will take on Williamfield at New Williamfield while Glasgow South meet Glenpark.
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]]>The post 15-6-2019 appeared first on East Renfrewshire Cricket Club ERCC.
]]>ERCC bounce back in the league as they thrash Victoria by 98 runs
By Afzal Shaikh – 15th June 2019
ERCC batsmen were put to test for the first time this season when Victoria unsurprisingly chose to field under an overcast condition.
A delayed start, pitch inspection and further assessment by on field umpires Les McWatt and Yasser Mahmood the game was eventually kicked off after 45mins of THE scheduled time.
ERCC openers Ali Qazi and Mohammed Sabir adapted well to the conditions and picked their spots to keep the score ticking.
Just as Ali started to cut loose and was looking to free up his arms he was trapped lbw off Ahsan Raza Syed for 31 giving Victoria their first break through in 21st over.
His opening partner Mohammed (24) perished soon after trying to play a big shot, caught behind off the same bowler.
Hard-hitting Sachin Badhan wasted no time in utilising the platform set by the opening stand he scored a quick fire 37 before getting caught in the deep off Rizwan Rashid.
Sudden collapse in the middle order with Imtanan Raza, Mohammed Zubair and Nauman Javaid all sent back to the pavilion without troubling the scorer, it seemed ERCC would bundle out under 150.
Thanks to Damian De Silva (21) and Waqas Hussain (32) who got ERCC to a respectable 218 all out (49 overs).
“I wasn’t surprised when Victoria asked us to bat first after toss, the pitch was damp and uneven, all I asked my players to do was to stick in and play the full 50 overs,” said ERCC skipper Afzal Shaikh.
“I am pleased with the performance of our top order batsmen, but surprised with the collapse in the middle-order, then again, this is a funny sport you can’t really predict much,” Afzal claimed.
In the run chase, Victoria had an early blow losing their inform and big hitting openers Zeeshan Raja (5) and Safi Zakir for a duck both off Nauman Javaid in the same over.
At 45-5 it looked curtains for Victoria, but their skipper Ahmed Waqas and S Raza build a solid 50-runs partnership which looked the game was slipping away for ERCC.
A match winning catch by Sachin at point broke the partnership and switched the game back in ERCC control.
With the exposed Victoria’s tail, it was in the hands of Ahmed to keep most of the strike, after a few boundaries he succumbed two runs short of his half century, Victoria were all out for 120.
After six matches, ERCC won 5 and lost 1, they are now positioned 2nd in the league after leaders and unbeaten GHK, GHK has played only 3 matches so far.
On the other hand, Glasgow South match was cancelled due to unfit ground.
In the next match, ERCC face Hillhead in WDCU Division 2 and Glasgow South meet Bees in Division 4.
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]]>The post 8-6-2019 appeared first on East Renfrewshire Cricket Club ERCC.
]]>For your body and mind
Poor shot selection cost ERCC their first defeat this season
By Afzal Shaikh – 8th June 2019
ERCC’s strong batting
line-up failed to deliver on a rain-interrupted 42 over match against 10-men
Albert Park facing their first defeat this season on Saturday.
Chasing mere 151 ERCC
batsmen didn’t set a momentum and played reckless shots to throw their wickets
away against a mediocre bowling attack.
“It was a difficult wicket
to bat on under cloudy and drizzly conditions, but our top and middle order
should have played sensibly they just threw their wickets,” admitted ERCC
skipper Tariq Shabbir who scored 16 not out.
“Our bowlers did an
incredible job to restrict them (Weirs) on their home for 150, all I needed was
someone to stay on the crease and play the full quota and that would have made
all the difference,” explained Tariq.
With the ball, ERCC’s Waqas
Hussain took an applauding 4 for 32 (6.1) recording his best figures this
season.
Muhammed Zubair 2-32 (7)
and Nauman Javaid 2-24 (8) registered their names in the wicket’s column with
Riaz Ali claiming his 12th victim to topple the wickets leaderboard.
At the top order Derek
Pettigrew (33) and Inderbir Mahal (21) piled on the runs in Albert Park’s 150,
however 42 runs came in extras, something ERCC may look to work on.
In the worst batting
performance, ERCC’s Tariq and Damian De Silva (10) were the only two batsmen to
have reached double figures.
ERCC players were
disappointed with the performance but are hoping to bounce back and in to their
winning run.
“There is a lot to learn
from this defeat and sometimes it is needed to get your focus back on to make
sure you are more level headed and adapting to the conditions,” said Nayyar
Umeed – ERCC opening batsman.
ERCC will now lock horns
against Victoria in an away game next Saturday, while Glasgow South will visit
Inverclyde in their next match.
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]]>ERCC extend winning streak in WDCU Division 2
By Afzal Shaikh – 1st June 2019
ERCC extended their WDCU Division 2 League winning streak to four after thrashing Galloway by 5 wickets in Saturday’s away game.
Off-spinner Riaz Ali known to pick up early wickets with the new ball didn’t disappoint his skipper once again he managed to send opener Alan Lamb (14) caught Nayyar Umeed back to dug out leaving Galloway in a bit of a bother.
Season’s highest wicket taker now Riaz picked up two more for his tally of 11 in four matches.
After losing an early wicket, Galloway came back strong with their inform batsman Patrick Druce constructing a solid partnership with opener Neil McGrath when runs were hard to come by.
Just as the two started to break lose, Zubair Muhammad knocked Neil stumps leaving him 3 short of his maiden half century.
Patrick held on tight at one end to score his third half century of the season from as many matches making him one of the most sensational batsmen.
Steven Carr (20) and Mark Pagan (37) contributed well with Patrick (65) to help Galloway to a defendable 240 (49.2).
Zubair was pick of the bowlers with 3-51 (10), skipper and off-spinner Tariq Shabbir 2-36 (9) along with Riaz Ali 2-32 (10) bowled superbly. Nauman succeeded in taking the last man finishing 1-22 (6.2).
Tariq Shabbir was well pleased with his team’s performance: “It is a dead wicket and our bowlers specially Zubair bowled with great control to restrict them (Galloway) for 240.”
Having chased under 116 runs in the last three matches, ERCC skipper believed it will test his side’s batting ability when chasing 240.
“In last three matches we managed to restrict our oppositions under 115 and chased it quite comfortably, the score today will be challenging in the overcast conditions,” Tariq said.
Tariq sent Mohammed Sabir and Nayyar Umeed to open after missing the regular opener Ali Qazi due to injury.
Mohammed and Nayyar got off to a brilliant start setting a perfect platform for ERCC just as the skipper scripted.
Nayyar (32) was the first man to go caught and bowled Tommy McGrath. His opening partner Mohammed made an outstanding 69 before getting out caught by Mark Pagan off Steven Carr.
Later, wicket-keeper batsman Sachin Badhan (37) and all-rounder Nauman Javaid (57) got their side to a comfortable position.
ERCC reached the target in 46th over with the loss of 5 wickets.
In the next matches after Ramadhan, ERCC will take on Albert Park and Glasgow South shake hands with Bute and Cowal County in away games.
25-5-2019
Both senior team matches called off due to rain
By Afzal Shaikh – 25th May 2019
Rain stopped ERCC march on Saturday in the Division 2 WDCU League match against Glasgow Accies after 14 overs of play at New Williamfield on 25th May 2019.
After winning the toss, Glasgow Accies sent ERCC to bat in overcast conditions.
ERCC lost their openers Ali Qazi (4) and Mohammed Sabir (6) quite cheaply and then Zarak Ahad (13) who got off to a good start but failed to capitalise.
Not out batsmen Sachin Badhan (27) and Nauman Javaid (17) took ERCC to 77/3 (14 overs) when umpires decided to call off the match due to heavy rain and the forecast for rest of the day didn’t look much promising.
ERCC remains unbeaten after three matches in WDCU Division 2 League.
Glasgow South’s match against Hamilton Crescent was called off without bowling a single ball due to wet outfield and rain.
Fixtures for 1st June 2019 will see ERCC meet Galloway in an away match while Glasgow South visits Daksh Kingsholm.
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]]>Ali Qazi stars as ERCC makes three wins from three
By Afzal Shaikh – 11th May 2019
Ali Qazi’s charismatic match winning 60 not out ministered ERCC register their third win from as many appearances in WDCU Division 2 league.
Highest scorer in the last season, Ali stood tall like a rigid wall when the wickets were falling on the other end, chasing an under par 116.
After losing half of the side for 55, all-rounder Nauman Javaid (20) backed Ali down the order for a crucial 37-run partnership taking ERCC closer to the target.
Ali held his nerve by keeping the strike, as the scores were level Ali smashed one out of the park in a dramatic and enthralling finish.
“Ali batted superbly, he kept his calm when the wickets were falling and got us home.”
“I must admit when we restricted them to 115 we had won half the battle, but today our batting was put to test and we need to work really hard in this department,” said ERCC captain Muhammad Zubair.
Having won the toss ERCC played to their strength by sending Dean Park to bat and to no one’s surprise ERCC seam bowlers delivered yet again.
New ball combination of Nauman and Riaz Ali had an amazing tournament so far picking up 13 wickets between them in the first two games.
Nauman was right on the money picking opener Abbas Arfeen (2) caught behind by Zarak Ali, his partner right-arm off-spinner Riaz Ali succeeded in getting Sajad Ahmad (6) leg before.
Next to go Imran Syed (12) who had scored 60 in the last innings miss judged medium pacer Zubair incoming dipper only to push the ball straight in his hands for a sitter.
Zubair kept the pressure and looked merciless when he clean bowled DP skipper Sahil Chopra (5) leaving DP 4-48 (18).
After a decent 24-run partnership between Mohsin Majeed and Taral Khasiya ERCC captain Tariq Shabbir threw the ball at his golden arm Zarak Ali who broke the partnership by knocking the stumps of Mohsin (10).
In the next over Tariq also added his name in the wickets column sending Taral (23) bowled back to pavilion.
DP wickets kept tumbling with Zubair’s best figures this season (8.3) 4-21, Nauman (10) 2-24 and Riaz (9) 2-28.
In the fourth division encounter, Glasgow South lost to Kirkstyle by 2 wickets, batting first GS scored 126-all out.
10-men Kirkstyle managed to chase the target in 37.2 overs with the loss of 8 wickets.
On Saturday, 18th May, ERCC will lock horns against GHK at Stirling CC while GS play away game against Isle of Bute.
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]]>Riaz, Nauman and Zarak powers ERCC to 2nd win this season
By Afzal Shaikh – 4th May 2019
Off-spinner Riaz Ali and Nauman Javaid displayed fine line, length and impressive accuracy to dismantle Torrance House top order in Saturday’s WDCU Division 2 league.
Sent to bat first Torrance House struggled to keep the momentum going, with wickets falling at regular interval, runs were hard to come by.
Riaz gave an early breakthrough sending Matthew Deighan for a duck caught behind by Zarak Ahad, Nauman seized the opportunity and kept the pressure on the other end picking his victim in captain Alan Meikle (1) yet another caught behind by Zarak Ahad.
Glenn Taylor started off well but failed to sustain and was clean bowled off Nauman’s inswinger for 10.
Sahil Kakar (9) and Nasim Malik (2) couldn’t match Riaz and Nauman’s combination of speed, movement and precision they both got out cheaply leaving visitors in a lot of trouble.
Thanks to Shahid Mahmood’s unbeaten 31 which helped his side to a defendable 89 all out in 34.4 overs.
Riaz 3-8 (6.4) and Nauman 3-25 (8) were pick of the ERCC bowlers, while Zubair Muhammad 2-15 (5), Imtanan Raza 1-15 (7) and Tariq Shabbir 1-12 (3) claimed rest of TH wickets.
ERCC started off poorly losing captain and opener Shahzad Malik bowled for duck off Jonathan Watkins.
Despite of an early wicket, a valued partnership between Ali Qazi and wicketkeeper batsman Zarak Ahad took ERCC out of danger.
Ali perished playing a rash shot of Cameron Pietersen for 17, Mohammed Sabir (4) was the only other wicket fallen lbw off Cameron.
Zarak carried the bat for an unbeaten 57 making sure ERCC reached the target in just 18.2 overs.
“Our plan seems to be working pretty well,” claimed Ammar Ashraf – ERCC Team Manager. “I want to concentrate on one game at a time and try to learn from our mistakes to capitalise for the next game.”
“We are here (Division 2) to prove a point and to make sure our promotion in this league does not go to waste, league is still at the early stages we have a lot of work to be done,” said Ammar.
In the Division 4, Glasgow South (ERCC 2nd) failed to register a win against Galloway 2nd despite of Shakir Hussain’s maiden century.
Batting first Glasgow South scored a mammoth 308-5 in 40 overs, bulk of the scores coming off the bat of top order batsmen Damian De Silva (67) and Shakir Hussain (136).
Captain Imran Khan (28), Zain Ul Abadeen (35 not out) and Zaheer-u-din Ommer (22 not out) contributed well in Glasgow South’s scorecard.
Chasing 309 Galloway 2nd lost early wickets, but Alan Lamb (48), Gary Thomson (31) Arron Richardson (20 not out) and John Whitehouse (14 not out) made sure they played the full 40 overs resulting in a format draw.
On 11/5/19 WDCU Division 2 – ERCC will lock horns against Dean Park in an away game at King George V playing fields in Renfrew, while WDCU Division 4 – Glasgow South will meet Kirkstyle at home in Hamilton Palace Grounds.
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]]>Your body and mind
ERCC comes up big following promotion to the second league
By Afzal Shaikh – 27th April 2019
In their first match after promotion to WDCU Division 2, East Renfrewshire opened their campaign with a 4 wicket win in rain-hit, low scoring match against Williamsfield (Stirling County CC).
After winning the toss, ERCC put the host to bat on a lush green hard wicket a decision well paid-off when Williamsfield openers struggled facing controlled ERCC seam and spin opening bowling attack.
Off-spinner Riaz Ali got through the defense on last ball of his first over sending Ian Wilkinson (1) back to pavilion.
Fellow opening ball partner and paceman Nauman Javaid joined the party dismissing Shirish Shetty (3) brilliantly caught behind by Zarak Ahad.
Making excellent use of the pitch condition, Nauman went on to celebrate parting Christopher Morton (4) and Moray Sharp (0), in quick succession.
Skipper and opener Fergus Martin seemed clueless standing at one end watching his side topple, he later diminished for 3 caught by Nayyar Umeed off Riaz’s superb swing bowling.
Lois Wilkinson, Vamsi Machana and Michael Phillip were sent to the dug out without troubling the scorer as Williamfield were 17 for 8 after 10 overs.
Tail enders Jonathan Bowes and Alasdair Morton showed some resilience lower in the order for a decent 30-run partnership just before Alasdair (6) was bowled by Imtanan Raza.
Riaz completed his 4-17 (7.2) with W Weir (7) wicket, ending Williamfield’s miser 58 in 26.2 overs. Nauman finished with 3-12, Waqas Hussain and Imtanan picked 1 apiece.
Jonathan was the only batsman for Williamfield to reach double figures and remained unbeaten at 17.
ERCC opened their innings with a cautious approach scoring at nearly 3 an over lost last season’s top scorer Ali Qazi (9) leg before off Ian Wilkinson in the sixth over.
His opening partner and captain Shazad Malik (4) succumbed after a quick 18-run partnership with wicketkeeper batsman Zarak Ahad’s quickfire 22 off 13 balls with 2 boundaries.
ERCC looked in a bit of bother with their top-order dismissed and a collapse middle order leaving Nayyar Umeed, Tariq Shabbir and Waqas Hussain out cheaply.
However, all-rounders Imtanan Raza (2) and Zubair Mohammad (4) both carried their bat forward and the side home in 14.5 overs.
Jonathan Bowes and Christopher Morton shared two wickets each in between them, while Ian and Lois Wilkinson finished with one respectively.
In the next match, ERCC will host Torrance House.
ERCC’s second team ‘Glasgow South’ home game was washed out due to rain and wet outfield.
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